Crimepedia Crimepedia

Keith Lyon was a very cute 12 year old boy with a cheeky face and ears that he’d not yet grown into. He lived with his Mother Valda, father Ken and little brother Peter who was 7 in the village of Ovingdean- which is a small village very close to Brighton and Hove in East Sussex. They lived in a pretty large home. The family were a very respectable family and were well liked. On the 4th May 1967 Ken was preparing to play in a concert at the Metropole hotel in Brighton when Police arrived asking to speak with him.  That day would change the lives of the Lyon family forever.
music:
Betelgeuse by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5780-betelgeuse
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license


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In September 2011, a shooting occurred in South Philadelphia, and two suspects were implicated based on eyewitness identification. There would be inconsistencies in the eyewitness testimonies, and both suspects had alibis. Despite this, both would be charged and placed on trial for the shooting. What followed was a travesty of justice, where the suspects would face the potential of serving decades behind bars.

Takeaways
Eyewitness identification can be unreliable and subject to inconsistencies.Having a strong alibi and supporting evidence is crucial in building a defense.Proper legal representation is essential for a fair trial.Mishandling of investigations can lead to wrongful arrests and convictions. The importance of having a good understanding of the legal systemThe impact of financial resources on the quality of legal representationThe consequences of inadequate representation in criminal trialsThe need for proper preparation and attention to detail in legal cases Ineffective legal representation can have severe consequences for defendants, as seen in CJ Rice's case.Sanjay Weaver, CJ's defense attorney, failed to provide a strong defense and neglected crucial evidence.The judge's lack of intervention and the prosecution's reliance on weak evidence further contributed to the injustice.After years of appeals and reinvestigation, CJ's habeas petition was granted, leading to his release and eventual exoneration.The case highlights the importance of competent legal representation and the need for oversight in the criminal justice system.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Shooting Incident
03:18 Eyewitness Identification and Inconsistencies
05:48 Strong Alibis and Supporting Evidence
09:46 Lack of Proper Legal Representation
14:08 Mishandling of the Investigation
29:39 The Impact of Financial Resources on Legal Representation
36:13 The Mishandling of CJ Rice's Trial
58:56 The Consequences of Inadequate Representation
01:05:26 Ineffective Legal Representation
01:17:24 Exoneration and Injustice
01:19:07 Sandjai Weaver's Incompetence
01:21:27 Reinvestigation and Murky Evidence
01:25:14 Lessons Learned and Compensation
01:26:19 Acknowledging Weaver's One Right Move
01:31:48 Dumb Criminal: Burglar Hiding Under a Couch



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Last weekend on March 10th the UK celebrated Mother’s Day.  They say that there is nothing like a Mother’s Love.  When you have a child you vow to love and protect them for the rest of your life.  One woman took that vow so seriously that she came up against some of the most dangerous people in Mexico.  Often only armed with a gun, fake ID and a disguise she gave hope to hundreds of parents of missing children.

Summary
In this episode, Cherry shares the case of Miriam Rodriguez, a mother in Mexico whose daughter was kidnapped by the Los Zetas drug cartel. Miriam paid the ransom but received no news about her daughter. She took matters into her own hands, conducting her own investigation and eventually discovering the location of her daughter's remains. Miriam faced frustration with the authorities and the lack of response from the government. The case highlights the brutality of the drug cartel and the challenges faced by families seeking justice. Miriam Rodriguez, a mother from Mexico, took on a drug cartel single-handedly to seek justice for her daughter's abduction and murder. Despite facing death threats and lack of support, Miriam went to great lengths to track down and expose the gang members involved. She infiltrated their families, gathered evidence, and handed them over to the police. Miriam's determination and bravery inspired others, but tragically, she was shot and killed on Mother's Day. Her story serves as a reminder of the love between a mother and child and the power of one person's fight against injustice.



TakeawaysThe Los Zetas drug cartel in Mexico is known for its violent tactics, including kidnappings, beheadings, and torture.Miriam Rodriguez's relentless pursuit of justice for her daughter showcases the challenges faced by families in the face of corruption and lack of resources.The case highlights the importance of human rights organizations in documenting violations and pressuring the government to take action.The story serves as a reminder of the brutality and impact of drug cartels on communities and families. Miriam Rodriguez's story showcases the incredible determination and bravery of a mother seeking justice for her daughter.Her relentless pursuit of the gang members involved in her daughter's abduction and murder led to the capture and imprisonment of several individuals.Miriam's tragic end highlights the dangers she faced and the risks involved in challenging powerful criminal organizations.Her legacy serves as an inspiration for others to fight against injustice and to never give up in the face of adversity.

Case music: 
Stranded by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10375-stranded
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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In October 2001, an assistant United States attorney sat in his basement floor office working late into the night. Without warning, gunshots would ring out from the backyard, breaking the window facing his desk and hitting the man. They would be fatal. More than 20 years later, people are still asking who killed the man and why.

Summary
In this episode of Crimepedia, Morgan and Cherry discuss the upcoming CrimeCon UK event and congratulate a friend on being shortlisted for an award. They then delve into the case of Tom Wales, an assistant United States attorney who was assassinated in his home. The FBI's handling of the investigation is examined, and the lack of physical evidence leads investigators to focus on motive. The episode ends with the exploration of Tom's personal and social life to determine a possible motive for his murder. Tom Wales' murder investigation explores various potential motives, including an altercation at a parking garage, his involvement with Washington Ceasefire, and his work as an assistant United States attorney. The investigation also focuses on the helicopter case that Tom had been working on, as well as the legal action and motives of James Anderson. The FBI identifies a suspicious man in the neighborhood and discovers unusual markings on the bullets used in the murder, leading to the search for a replacement gun barrel. These chapters provide a comprehensive overview of the principal themes in the conversation. This episode concludes the discussion on the unsolved murder of Tom Wales. The conversation delves into the credibility of witness recollections and the discovery of an anonymous letter claiming responsibility for the murder. The FBI's theory of a conspiracy and hired gunmen is explored, along with the ongoing investigation and increased reward for information. The hosts express their fascination with the case and share a story about a dumb criminal.



TakeawaysThe accuracy of witness recollections can be questioned, especially when details are remembered years after the event.An anonymous letter claiming responsibility for a crime can provide valuable information, but its credibility must be carefully evaluated.The FBI's theory of a conspiracy and hired gunmen suggests a complex network of individuals involved in the murder.The investigation into Tom Wales' murder is ongoing, with the FBI determined to solve the case and bring justice to the victim's family.


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A young man on his way home from a football game finds himself confronted with a choice. Take the short path and walk through a situation that gets out of control fast or take the long path and avoid the situation completely. He makes the right choice- only fate has other ideas. The situation and him collide and he is left fighting for his life- having done nothing wrong. Someone chose to involve him, and to take his life.

Summary

In this episode, Cherry and Morgan discuss the unsolved case of Sammy Sidum, an 18-year-old who was fatally stabbed in 2018. Sammy was described as popular, ambitious, and caring, with a passion for law and helping others. The attack occurred after Sammy witnessed an altercation between rival gangs and tried to avoid it. Despite multiple arrests, no one has been convicted for Sammy's murder. The hosts highlight the impact on Sammy's family and the need for witnesses to come forward. They also discuss the broader issue of gang violence and the grooming of young individuals. In this conversation, Morgan and Cherry discuss a bizarre incident where suspects escaped from a Porta Potty. They explore the gross and humorous aspects of the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by the police officers involved. The hosts also provide information on how to contact them for case suggestions.

Takeaways
The case of Sammy Sidum highlights the devastating impact of gang violence and the need for witnesses to come forward to bring justice to the victim's family.Grooming young individuals into gangs and the allure of belonging and protection can lead to tragic consequences.The lack of progress in solving Sammy's case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling gang-related crimes.The legacy of Sammy Sidum lives on through the Sammy Sidum Award, which supports a student at Queen Mary University. Escaping from a Porta Potty is a highly unusual and gross way to evade the police.The suspects in this case were caught in a very embarrassing and uncomfortable situation.The lack of regular cleaning of Porta Potties can lead to unsanitary conditions.Listeners can contact the hosts on Instagram for case suggestions.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
02:05 Introducing the Case of Sammy Sidum
04:02 Sammy Sidum's Background and Interests
07:46 Altercation and Attack
10:10 Witnesses and Investigation
16:19 Appeals and Lack of Progress
23:45 Impact on Sammy's Family
25:38 Gang Activity and Grooming
29:13 Connection to CJ Davis's Case
36:15 Appeal for Information and Legacy
39:44 Discussion and Closing Remarks
42:38 The Porta Potty Escape
43:11 A Crappy Situation
44:14 Contacting the Hosts
44:40 Case Suggestions

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In 1974, Karen Silkwood was a technician at a plutonium processing plant near Oklahoma City. In November of that year, she would be killed in a mysterious one-car crash. Prior to her death, Karen Silkwood had been critical of the plant’s health and safety procedures and had files numerous complaints to the Atomic Energy Commission about unsafe conditions at the plant. Was Karen’s death a tragic accident, or was it her status as a whistleblower that lead to her being killed?

Summary
In this episode, Morgan and Cherry discuss the case of Karen Silkwood, a chemical technician and advocate for labor unions who died under suspicious circumstances in 1974. Karen worked at a nuclear facility where she discovered multiple breaches of health and safety protocols. She was contaminated with plutonium and her car crashed shortly after attending a union meeting. The circumstances surrounding her death raise questions about possible foul play and a cover-up by the company. The missing documentation and the presence of sedatives in her system add to the mystery. Karen Silkwood's suspicious death and the subsequent investigation into the nuclear facility she worked at revealed potential foul play and safety concerns. The missing paperwork, threatening phone calls, and exposure to plutonium raised suspicions. Legal battles ensued, with the jury initially awarding Karen's estate $10.5 million, which was later reduced to $5,000. The case led to a federal investigation and the closure of the plant. Karen's story inspired a movie and serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety.

Takeaways
Karen Silkwood's death raised suspicions of foul play and safety concerns at the nuclear facility she worked at.The missing paperwork, threatening phone calls, and exposure to plutonium added to the suspicion.Legal battles ensued, with the initial jury award being reduced to a mere $5,000.The case led to a federal investigation and the closure of the plant, highlighting the importance of workplace safety.




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